MHA plans to organise sports meet in NorthEast to tap talents

PTI
NEW DELHI, APRIL 17

The Home Ministry is planning to organise sports tournaments in the Northeast as part of the government’s effort to tap and promote young talents in order to keep the youth away from insurgency.
The plan is being mooted to help the youth nurture their talent and get exposure in the national and international events through proper training.
The sports meets would be organised by the paramilitary forces under their community outreach programmes.
Home Ministry officials said there is a large pool of untapped talent in remote and tribal areas, particularly in the Northeast, and sports competitions would help authorities to identify such talents and bring them to national training facilities.“This would also supplement the government’s efforts to wean the teenagers away from the cult of violence and hatred spread by naxal and other militant /insurgent groups,” according to a Home Ministry document.
The Northeastern region, which had been witnessing insurgency for last several decades, has also contributed several big names in boxing, archery, long distance running, javelin throw, football, etc. in the past.
“We are planning to host the sports tournaments in all Northeastern states phase wise. Hopefully, it will send a positive message to the youth of the region,” an official said.
Such sports competition would also help paramilitary forces to reach out to the diverse communities in the Northeast by recruiting such talents, officials said.